Washington Economic Development Agenda Brian Bonlender, Commerce Director February 2014

Economic Snapshot Unemployment 6.6% GDP growth 4 th highest in the nation GBI exceeds pre-recession peak: 6% growth last year Bloomberg named WA #1 Most Innovative State Challenges persist… Slow recovery Underemployment high Geographic, pay scale disparities

Accomplishments & Opportunities: We’re On the Right Track 777x: Team effort, statewide significance Boat building: Recapitalizing distant fisheries fleet Global health: WA is among world leaders Geneva & DC, thanks to Gates, PATH, others Clean Tech: Job growth 121%, 2x economy as a whole ICT Jobs: 4% of workforce = 2x nation & competitor states; more openings than qualified candidates

Commerce Director Top 3 Goals: 1.Maximize efficiency and operational effectiveness of the department 2.Better engagement and coordination with our partners 3.Drive pro-growth policies and initiatives

Results Commerce OUR MISSION: Grow and improve jobs in Washington State by championing thriving communities, a prosperous economy, and sustainable infrastructure. OUR KEY GOALS:

Economic Development Agenda Economic Climate Sector-focused Economic Development Startup Washington Workforce Development Small Business, Rural & Underserved Communities

Economic Climate Examples: Red Tape Index Regulatory Streamlining Pilot Projects: Restaurant Pilot, Manufacturing Pilot Infrastructure: Transportation, protect key investment funds for Public Works, CERB, Housing Trust Fund

Sector-focused Economic Development SectorLead AerospaceAlex Pietsch, Office of Aerospace Agriculture & Food ProcessingWSDA Clean TechnologyRichard Locke (OEDC Director) Life Sciences | Global HealthMaura Little Information Communication TechnologyWill Saunders Advanced ManufacturingRecruiting Marine TechnologyStephen Sewell Military and DefenseKristine Reeves Additional sectors under consideration

Startup Washington Create an environment for startups to flourish o Raise B&O threshold to $50K for all businesses o Support existing R&D tax credits o Promote tradable R&D tax credits Explore early-stage financing options Expand commercialization efforts/Entrepreneurs in Residence Startup 365/Builds on GEW success Crowd-funding up to $1 million (HB2023)

Workforce development Aligning investment with employer needs Work Start – Match education and workforce training with employer needs STEM education Partnering to fill gaps – State, business, labor & education leaders work together to develop talent pool

Small Business, Rural & Underserved Communities Regulatory streamlining B&O tax threshold Startup 365: Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship based on GEW success Business One-Stop/My Account project Sector-focused economic development Contracting with MWOB’s through Commerce Broadband infrastructure

Gov.’s Budget focuses on Commerce priorities OperatingCapital Developmental Disabilities Council (indirect costs) $189,000Public Work Trust Fund Pre-Construction Loan Funds $10 million Financial Fraud and ID Theft Crimes $197,000 (FY 2014)Housing Trust Fund Ultra-Low Energy Efficiency $5 million CERB Support $149,000, 1.1 FTEClean Energy and Energy Freedom Program technical correction Local Government Planning Support $982,000, 6.5 FTE Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program technical correction Strategic Growth Expansion$300,000Pacific Tower $300,000 Infrastructure Information Portal $250,000, 0.15 FTE Regulatory Process Improvement $250,000R&D$50,000 threshold Entrepreneurs in Residence$750,000 Innovation Contract$5.3 million Start Up Washington 365$500,000

Working with Commerce: Business Development Strategic Growth: Recruitment & Expansion Proactive company targets in key sectors International trade shows and missions FDI emphasis – overseas contracts for lead cultivation Site selector and real estate consultant engagement State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Work Start Community asset development statewide 2013 Results: 27 projects, $252.2 M in capital investment, 2,140 jobs created

Working with Commerce: Export Assistance Create a Culture of Exporting Emphasis on FDI for Foreign Representatives Driving Results: o FY 2013 – Commerce assisted 729 companies o requestS, resulting in $203 Million sales (annual target = $60 M) STEP contributed to record sales, including Export Voucher program Congress approved $8 Million for STEP Year 3 (early Jan.) Only 25% of appropriation compared to Y1 and Y2

Working with Commerce: Office of Economic Dev. & Competitiveness (OEDC) Sector strategies: Commerce & Gov. priority Public-private partnerships maximize impact 4 of 5 experts on board at Commerce Developing sector growth strategies Leading collaboration, activities

Sector-focused Economic Development How it works: Close collaboration with Commerce Business Services Division Strengthen ongoing Business Recruitment, Retention, Expansion and International Trade activities Increased industry engagement = better to surface sector needs Drive policy and strategies for sector growth

Presented by: Brian Bonlender Director of Commerce #ChooseWA Facebook: facebook.com/WaStateCommerce